Catracks

At your stage I was still on full liquids. I don't know what your surgeon's directions were, but the only things I could have were yogurt, milk, Protein shakes plus the Clear Liquids. Yeah, it's tough, especially if you're in a stall. I'm a year out and cannot seem to lose the last 17 pounds. Frustrating as hell! Here's the deal: Eat all of your protein. You need between 70-90 grams. Get the Water in. That will make or break you. Keep the carbs down. Some people say below 40 grams, but I do fine below 50. Log everything you put into your mouth on My Fitness Pal or Fitday. They are free and even have phone apps. You can do it! You have the tool. It's knowing how to use it. As for all the rules about Protein Shakes and protein first, well ... as someone told me: "You do what ya gotta do." It's not forever and the joy of eating and being satisfied with a few ounces of food will come. Today I'm having shrimp scampi, tilapia, a mini Bell cheese and a few multi-grain crackers from Trader Joe's. Maybe some chicken and veggies for dinner. I can even have a smidgen of dark chocolate for dessert with some coffee. It does get better. You are not consigned to deprivation. You just have to be smart about it and it does take some retraining in how you deal with food. Days and get-togethers should revolve less around food and more with friendships and activities. There's a great world out there for you. Just go get it!

Find a Goodwill in a affluent area. Aren't I tacky? It's true though. Yes, it takes a long time to find things because they are sorted by type and color. It's take a long time to sift, but be patient. It's worth it. Ebay is another goldmine. People sell all kinds of clothes.

I got a BIPAP just before surgery. My apnea was severe. I never did use the thing. My sleep apnea disappeared after about a month. I don't even snore, let alone gasp for air. Thank goodness! I never could get used to pressurized air blowing straight into my face. I think you have to go in for another sleep study, but I think my pulmonologist (sp?) just wrote me off as cured because I told her flat out that I wasn't coming in for the sleep study. I sent the machine back the next day. Bad patient, I know, but that was the most miserable experience EVER. I would rather go through surgery again.

When you do try on your dress nearer to your wedding date, make sure you wear your spandex or whatever underwear you will be using. It makes a HUGE difference in the fit of the dress. I don't normally wear shapewear, but it can make a lot of difference here.

I will be in an inaccessible place for about a week, I will have to pack all my food in. I will have access to Water. I had planned to use Mountain House freeze dried food, but it's SO high in calories and carbs for the amount. Weight is obviously a factor. I planned on beef Jerky, dried apricots, dried cranberries, nuts, Lipton Cup a Soups, Peanut Butter (maybe), Crystal Light packets and maybe some Nutri-System Breakfast bars that I still have. Any ideas? Boy, am I going to miss vegetables!

Forgot. I had to pay $100 for the nutrition class and maybe $200 for the psych eval and the copays and deductibles for the endoscopy, chest xray, mammogram and one other test I forget ... It's not the cheapest even with insurance. The psych and nutrition class weren't covered at all and neither was all the Protein powders and drinks.

It depends what you consider normal. My husband is 5'10, 185 pounds and all muscle. He eats portions that are not much bigger than mine. He has the capability to pig out and does on occasion, but for the most part he eats sparingly. He surprisingly doesn't eat junk food or sugary things. It's not because he watches it. He just doesn't like the stuff. His normal is something to aspire to.

"pornographic surgeon" LMAO!!! I had to pay the deductibles, both surgeon and hospital before surgery.

You wake up or they wake you up pretty much immediately after arriving in the recovery room. I actually wanted to go back to sleep, but they kept waking me up. It was annoying.

Read this article: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/protein-kidneys/#axzz2H37BTzSm The gist is this: according to the exhaustive analysis of Martin et al, there exists no evidence that protein intake negatively influences renal health in otherwise healthy, active individuals. There is some evidence that already impaired renal function might worsen with increased protein, but the experts, as is their wont, can’t resist applying the same recommendations to everyone, regardless of renal health. The result is a nutrition teacher sowing misinformation across the student body in an introductory course, i.e. one that is intended to establish foundational knowledge that the students will carry on through life as a cornerstone of their thinking. Simply put, healthy kidneys can handle plenty of protein; heck, they are meant to handle protein. One of their primary functions is to process the metabolic waste that results from protein metabolism. Yeah, protein “works” the kidneys, but that’s what they’re there for! Read more: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/protein-kidneys/#ixzz2H38HrLJc I would get a second opinion. Like the article says, damaged kidneys might not be able to handle all the protein, but I would get more than one view, especially if it messes with what sleevers should be eating.

True, you don not want to be like ... the only thing I can compare it to is militant ex-smokers. It is an eye opener though and you can steer your family more healthy without becoming an ass about it.

Peanut Butter kept me sane. I never used the PB2, but I always thought it was perfect for the shakes. Watch regular peanut butter. It is calorie packed and you really have to watch how much you eat. A small bit is all you need. Pre-surgery I used to load a celery stick with about 3 tbs of the stuff. GAAAAAAAAAA! No wonder I was were I was.

Cool! Yes, 4 of the large fill me up. I sort of eat them slow. They are SO good and they stay with you.

It does get better. I went out when they did and got egg drop Soup or something I COULD have. I wasn't hungry at that point anyway. I just wanted to come along. Him going to a place where you couldn't enjoy anything was a bit insensitive, but like Amazon said, I would have left him there and gone shopping -- Meet me at American Eagle biatch LOL! My husband was afraid to order a pizza and eat it in front of me at home, but I told him to go ahead. It was nice that he asked. We also don't keep junk food around. It's better for all of us. I should add that in a month or sooner, seeing people shovel mass quantities of food is going to totally gross you out.

Ahi tuna (the real stuff, not canned) and salmon pack the most protein ounce for ounce. I'm lucky that I love seafood and the fact that I am a true carnivore.

You got some excellent advice here. My nutritionist told me not to drink shakes anymore, but sometimes I just want one. Their aims is to get you back on real food, but you eat what you sleeve can handle. I could eat 4 oz. of yogurt and 2 oz of denser stuff at your stage. I still measure things one year out. It just keeps me on track. The sleeve won't stretch much. The stretchy part has been removed. I think now I can eat 6 oz of yogurt. I read where it really doesn't get beyond 8 fl. oz. but that all depends on your body (how long your sleeve is, etc.) Your mileage will vary.

Had some bacon wrapped scallops this morning. Yeah, I'm weird. I made very high Protein pureed Soups for myself. Pureed navy bean and ham? Pureed broccoli cheese? I even made a philly cheesesteak Soup. Greek yogurt is good for your stage as well. Try dumping a little plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream on some refried Beans and cheese.

Today I'm eating shrimp and steak. I can eat anything - but I don't. You will still enjoy food. I'm a TOTAL foodie. I just eat healthy and in the proper proportions. You've got to do this. I was 5'1" 246 pounds and I was literally dying.

Pictures please LOL. I lived in sweats and yoga pants that were already getting too big for the first week or so. Occasionally my big incision by my navel would leak and bleed all over my shirt until butterfly bandages and gauze became my friends. I looked an absolute sight. I was happy though!

You had asked if you could do them in the puree stage. That's a lot of roughage for your body to handle at that stage, but a modified green shake might help with the constipation almost everyone gets. I ate a lot of pureed broccoli cheese soup that I made myself and I never had that problem. I think the vegetable fiber helps immensely. Blueberry Cheesecake Shake 6 oz 2% milk or whatever you use 1 scoop of vanilla whey isolate powder Frozen blueberries 1-2 tbs vanilla Greek yogurt 2 tsp sugar free blueberry or berry Torani syrup 1 shake or two of sugar free cheesecake Jello pudding mix Just came up with that. I experiment all the time. Did you want greens with that? I dunno ...

I did. I wrote them a nice letter, but they didn't bother to give me the time of day. That sealed it.

I like your idea of a cast iron reversible griddle/grill. I usually buy vintage cast iron as they have been "pre-seasoned." I have 5 cast iron skillets, 2 cast iron dutch ovens, a little corn mold and a cast iron ladle. I swear by them. Best non-stick surface EVER! The one from my Great-Grandmother is 150 years old. Also a mini 1.5 cup food processor and vintage Pyrex casserole dishes. I use them all the time and even cheese cleans off without a hitch. Also a good set of mixing bowls, measuring cups, measuring spoons ... I collect depression era and vintage kitchen stuff. There is not much I don't have.

I used to buy Lean Cuisine, but they have become nasty and inedible. I will eat most anything, but bleeeech! I don't even eat frozen vegetable anymore - Mushy tasteless things. To be honest, I like to cook and do not like overly processed foods. I don't trust them anymore. Even the prepared sauces I buy have to have very few ingredients. I've turned into the health food nut that used to annoy me.

I went into a Sizzler with my surgeon's card. I asked if I could have a child's salad bar or a one trip salad bar. They refused. I did not go back. Sizzler isn't the deal it once was. It's more expensive than some real steak houses now.

Yep, the coconut milk and rice will get ya! I like the spicy beef or spicy shrimp salad. There are also some meat/veggie combinations that will be fine. Just skip the noodles and rice and heavy sauces. It is spicy hot food, but that's good for metabolism :-)